Boxing: Why are femininity tests imposed on female athletes for world championships banned in France?

The French women's boxers, who were due to compete in the 2025 World Boxing Championships, which run until September 14 in Liverpool, United Kingdom, have been barred from the competition . The reason: a genetic test for femininity, required by the International Boxing Federation (World Boxing), the results of which were not delivered on time.

Made mandatory at the end of August , this PCR test aims to determine the genetic sex of athletes, targeting the SRY gene, involved in determining male sex. It can be carried out using a nasal-oral sample, saliva or blood. Problem: the performance of genetic tests is very regulated in France, and was not authorized in this case for athletes.